Hebrews 1; Genesis 45; Genesis 46:1-27; Psalm 36

1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.5For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father " ? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son" ?6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."7In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."8But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."10He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.11They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.12You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."13To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet" ?14Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

1Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Have everyone leave my presence!" So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.2And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it.3Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.4Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!5And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.6For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping.7But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.8"So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.9Now hurry back to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don't delay.10You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me--you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have.11I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.'12"You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you.13Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly."14Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping.15And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.16When the news reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased.17Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan,18and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.'19"You are also directed to tell them, 'Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come.20Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.' "21So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey.22To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes.23And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.24Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way!"25So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.26They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them.27But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.28And Israel said, "I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

1So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.2And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!" "Here I am," he replied.3"I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.4I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes."5Then Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel's sons took their father Jacob and their children and their wives in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to transport him.6They also took with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt.7He took with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons and his daughters and granddaughters--all his offspring.8These are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob.9The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi.10The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman.11The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.12The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez and Zerah (but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan). The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.13The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron.14The sons of Zebulun: Sered, Elon and Jahleel.15These were the sons Leah bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, besides his daughter Dinah. These sons and daughters of his were thirty-three in all.16The sons of Gad: Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi and Areli.17The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah. Their sister was Serah. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malkiel.18These were the children born to Jacob by Zilpah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Leah--sixteen in all.19The sons of Jacob's wife Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.20In Egypt, Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.21The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim and Ard.22These were the sons of Rachel who were born to Jacob--fourteen in all.23The son of Dan: Hushim.24The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem.25These were the sons born to Jacob by Bilhah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Rachel--seven in all.26All those who went to Egypt with Jacob--those who were his direct descendants, not counting his sons' wives--numbered sixty-six persons.27With the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob's family, which went to Egypt, were seventy in all.

1An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.2For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.3The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good.4Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.5Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.6Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.7How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.8They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.9For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.10Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.11May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.12See how the evildoers lie fallen-- thrown down, not able to rise!